Russian UAS operator recruit Valery Averin reportedly killed near Luhansk

A social-media post says Valery Averin, a 23-year-old Russian soldier trained as a UAS operator for Russia's Unmanned Systems Forces, was killed near Luhansk. The post reports he signed a contract on Jan. 3, 2026, completed training on Mar. 24, and was killed on Apr. 6, reportedly by mortar fire.